Why choose Ghost Max 4?Buy Ghost Max 4 if
+1.0 Stability & Support+1.0 Stability & Support: Better measured rating in wear-test consensus.
Head-to-Head Comparison·Lab Telemetry
Brooks · Max Cushion
Ghost Max 4
79
Stack39mm
Weight283g
Drop6mm
HOKA · Max Cushion
Clifton 9
79
Stack32mm
Weight248g
Drop5mm
Key Differences & Advantages
Why choose Clifton 9?Buy Clifton 9 if
+2.3 Weight Efficiency+2.3 Weight Efficiency: Better measured rating in wear-test consensus.
The Runner's Pick
Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?
Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs
Brooks
Ghost Max 4
79
Choose the Ghost Max 4 if:
Choose the Ghost Max 4 if your priority is a secure, planted base with confident guidance powered by Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 with GlideRoll Rocker (283g). It is the better match for runners targeting neutral support and surefooted stride containment over the Clifton 9's focus on race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts.
6mm drop · 283g · $150Audit
HOKA
Clifton 9
79
Choose the Clifton 9 if:
Choose the Clifton 9 if your priority is an ultralight chassis with effortless turnover powered by Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) and a noticeably lighter weight (248g vs 283g). It is the better match for runners targeting minimizing leg fatigue across late-mile splits over the Ghost Max 4's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.
5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit
Dealbreaker Warnings · Who Should Skip These
Critical biomechanical trade-offs to avoid buying the wrong shoe
Brooks Ghost Max 4
Skip Ghost Max 4 if you want a featherweight speed-day shoe; at 283g, it is calibrated for workhorse longevity rather than race pace.
HOKA Clifton 9
Skip Clifton 9 if you want explosive trampoline bounce for tempo sessions; the midsole is tuned for grounded, predictable shock absorption.
8-Axis Telemetry Radar
Dead even · 79 PTS
Ghost79vsClifton79
Tap any axis node to inspect wear-test citations
🔬 Inspect Granular Lab Specs & Fit Telemetry▼
Fit & Sizing Consensus
Real-world wear-test consensus across runner foot profiles
Ghost Max 4
Clifton 9
Sizing LengthSizing differs
Runs Small
Clifton69%
True to Size
Ghost87%
Runs Large
Ghost Max 4: True to size(n=38)
Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)
Toe Box WidthSizing differs
Performance Tight
Clifton57%
Standard
Ghost82%
Wide
Ghost Max 4: Standard width(n=33)
Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)
Arch SupportMatch
Flat / Low
Neutral Stability
Ghost85%Clifton73%
High Arch
Ghost Max 4: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=27)
Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)
| RADAR AXIS | Ghost Max 4 | Clifton 9 | Δ DELTA | COHORT RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning & Softness | 8.6 | 8.5 | +0.1 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 0.1) | #15/18 |
| Energy Return & Bounce | 6.2 | 6.6 | −0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #15/18 |
| Weight Efficiency | 6.1 | 8.4 | −2.3 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #15/18 |
| Stability & Support | 8.4 | 7.4 | +1.0 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 1.0) | #15/18 |
| Traction & Grip | 8.0 | 7.3 | +0.7 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 0.7) | #15/18 |
| Upper Comfort & Lockdown | 8.4 | 8.2 | +0.2 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 0.2) | #15/18 |
| Breathability | 7.2 | 7.6 | −0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #15/18 |
| Durability | 8.3 | 8.3 | 0.0 (dead even) | #15/18 |
| Meta-Score | 79contender | 79contender | 0.0 | Calibrated |
The Record · Specification Telemetry
Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs
Ghost Max 4
Clifton 9
Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers
Ghost Max 4283g
Clifton 9248g
›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 35g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.
Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 53% of trainers
Ghost Max 439.0mm
Clifton 932.0mm
›Brooks Ghost Max 4 delivers 7.0mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.
Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 1.0mm
Ghost Max 46.0mm
Clifton 95.0mm
›Ghost Max 4's 6mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.
Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 67% of tested foams
Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 with GlideRoll Rocker6.2/10
Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10
›Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) yields a springier, high-rebound toe-off compared to Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 with GlideRoll Rocker's grounded, stable feel.
Outsole Durability & TractionTougher rubber than 87% of road shoes
RoadTack blown rubber compound8.3/10
Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10
›Ghost Max 4 utilizes RoadTack blown rubber compound compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.
Fit & Sizing Consensus
Real-world wear-test consensus across runner foot profiles
Ghost Max 4
Clifton 9
Sizing LengthSizing differs
Runs Small
Clifton69%
True to Size
Ghost87%
Runs Large
Ghost Max 4: True to size(n=38)
Clifton 9: Runs small — consider 0.5 size up(n=24)
Toe Box WidthSizing differs
Performance Tight
Clifton57%
Standard
Ghost82%
Wide
Ghost Max 4: Standard width(n=33)
Clifton 9: Performance tight / narrow(n=21)
Arch SupportMatch
Flat / Low
Neutral Stability
Ghost85%Clifton73%
High Arch
Ghost Max 4: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=27)
Clifton 9: Neutral stability / moderate arch(n=18)
The Record · Specification Telemetry
Cohort-relative percentiles and verified technical specs
Ghost Max 4
Clifton 9
Weight (US Men's 9)Lighter than 83% of daily trainers
Ghost Max 4283g
Clifton 9248g
›HOKA Clifton 9 saves 35g per stride, noticeable after mile 6 of continuous running.
Heel Cushion StackMore underfoot foam than 53% of trainers
Ghost Max 439.0mm
Clifton 932.0mm
›Brooks Ghost Max 4 delivers 7.0mm more vibration isolation for long recovery efforts than Clifton 9.
Heel-to-Toe DropΔ 1.0mm
Ghost Max 46.0mm
Clifton 95.0mm
›Ghost Max 4's 6mm drop shifts load toward the knees/quads, while Clifton 9's 5mm drop engages the Achilles and calves.
Midsole Foam & Energy ReturnHigher rebound than 67% of tested foams
Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 with GlideRoll Rocker6.2/10
Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA)6.6/10
›Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) yields a springier, high-rebound toe-off compared to Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 with GlideRoll Rocker's grounded, stable feel.
Outsole Durability & TractionTougher rubber than 87% of road shoes
RoadTack blown rubber compound8.3/10
Thin rubber pods on exposed CMEVA8.3/10
›Ghost Max 4 utilizes RoadTack blown rubber compound compound formulated for extended 500+ mile abrasive asphalt longevity.
| RADAR AXIS | Ghost Max 4 | Clifton 9 | Δ DELTA | COHORT RANK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning & Softness | 8.6 | 8.5 | +0.1 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 0.1) | #15/18 |
| Energy Return & Bounce | 6.2 | 6.6 | −0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #15/18 |
| Weight Efficiency | 6.1 | 8.4 | −2.3 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #15/18 |
| Stability & Support | 8.4 | 7.4 | +1.0 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 1.0) | #15/18 |
| Traction & Grip | 8.0 | 7.3 | +0.7 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 0.7) | #15/18 |
| Upper Comfort & Lockdown | 8.4 | 8.2 | +0.2 (Ghost Max 4 higher by 0.2) | #15/18 |
| Breathability | 7.2 | 7.6 | −0.4 (Clifton 9 higher by NaN) | #15/18 |
| Durability | 8.3 | 8.3 | 0.0 (dead even) | #15/18 |
| Meta-Score | 79contender | 79contender | 0.0 | Calibrated |
The Runner's Pick
Final Decision: Who Buys Which Model?
Side-by-side selection criteria grounded in verified mechanical specs
Brooks
Ghost Max 4
79
Choose the Ghost Max 4 if:
Choose the Ghost Max 4 if your priority is a secure, planted base with confident guidance powered by Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 with GlideRoll Rocker (283g). It is the better match for runners targeting neutral support and surefooted stride containment over the Clifton 9's focus on race-pace velocity and responsive tempo efforts.
6mm drop · 283g · $150Audit
HOKA
Clifton 9
79
Choose the Clifton 9 if:
Choose the Clifton 9 if your priority is an ultralight chassis with effortless turnover powered by Compression-molded EVA (CMEVA) and a noticeably lighter weight (248g vs 283g). It is the better match for runners targeting minimizing leg fatigue across late-mile splits over the Ghost Max 4's focus on high-mileage protection and low-impact recovery cruising.
5mm drop · 248g · $145Audit
Quiver Overlap
Direct Max Cushion Rivals
2-Shoe Rotation Strategy
Both models occupy the exact same max cushion slot on your shoe rack. Rather than buying both, runner consensus suggests picking the lighter Clifton 9 (248g) for quicker cadence, or the Ghost Max 4 for its Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 with GlideRoll Rocker ride feel and structure.
Ghost Max 4 RoleMax Cushion Workhorse
Clifton 9 RoleAlternative Max Cushion
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